This herbal tea is made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It is traditionally consumed in central and southern regions of South America. Yerba mate contains caffeine, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. It is most popular in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and parts of Bolivia and Chile. This drink is traditionally served in a hollowed out gourd and sipped through a metal straw. It can be served hot or cold. The cold version is called tereré.
South Americans commonly drink upwards of 1-4 liters of this tea per day. In the United States, Canada and Europe, avid drinkers may consume 1-2 liters per day. Since it is an herb like mint or oregano, the amount you drink mainly depends on your personal tolerance and preference. Compared to coffee, it may provide energy without negative side effects. Studies suggest it can enhance memory and focus, improve mood, decrease blood sugar levels, slow blood clotting and lower neurological disease risk.
The flavor can range from bitter to sweet and mellow. This drink continues to gain popularity in North America due to its many touted health benefits. However, more research is still needed to conclusively confirm these benefits.
This antioxidant-rich drink contains caffeine and theobromine. It’s a good alternative to coffee or tea for extra energy. It could help blood lipids and weight loss. For authentic, loose-leaf drink try Cruz de Malta. It has a bold, smoky flavor. Those wanting milder flavor should try elsewhere. Taragui Yerba Mate is another good option.
To maintain freshness, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Use an OXO POP Canister to keep out moisture and odors. Just pour it in, seal the lid shut, and store. The sealed container will keep it fresh for over a year. Get a medium 3 quart canister to hold a whole kilo bag.
Refrigerate it to maintain flavor. Fridge storage decreases mold risk. It can be refrigerated for up to a month before losing freshness. The pantry is not ideal, as moisture and odors can seep in. Temperature fluctuations also reduce quality and flavor over time.
It’s safe to consume this tea daily, like tea and coffee. It naturally has high nutrient content. Studies suggest it is safe during pregnancy. Follow caffeine intake recommendations when pregnant or breastfeeding.
This drink comes from the South American Ilex paraguariensis plant. It’s an infusion made by steeping the dried leaves. It tastes like green tea with tobacco and oak notes. Prepare it using a gourd and bombilla, or brew it like tea.
Theobromine, one of the stimulants in it, is also an ingredient in chocolate. Some people take Adderall recreationally to “get in the mood” and get high. While we don’t support anyone abusing any substance, people often express feeling naturally high when drinking mate for long periods.
In the U.S., it is available in stores and online. People recommend it to relieve fatigue, ease depression, and treat various conditions. It is a caffeinated coffee alternative from South America, full of antioxidants. You can sip it without worrying about staining your teeth. It is a legal herb so you can safely travel without problems getting through customs.
This yerba mate has a bold, smoky flavor so it’s great if you want that profile. Taragui Yerba Mate is an authentic loose leaf with a smooth, mellow flavor. Ecoteas Yerba Mate is imported straight from South America.
It provides an energy boost like coffee but with less caffeine and more nutrients. It offers strength of coffee, health of tea, and euphoria of chocolate. Indigenous South Americans called it “drink of gods” and settlers called it “green gold.”
It contains caffeine so it’s considered a drug that can be addictive with side effects but doesn’t cause hallucinations. Studies indicate drinking large amounts long-term may increase cancer risk but a daily cup with three grams of leaves is likely safe.
The flavor varies greatly by region depending on soil quality. You can reuse it 10 to 30 times until the flavor is gone. Studies show milk reduces tea’s staining ability so adding milk may help avoid stains.
Seeds apparently only germinate after being digested by specific native birds, making cultivation difficult. Personal tastes define great yerba mate more than product quality since traditional yerba mate varies by region. You can buy it online via Amazon or offline at stores like Walmart and Whole Foods.
Organic yerba mate is more expensive because it relies on fairly-paid workers with machetes rather than heavy herbicide use. Yerba mate can be grown outside South America in controlled environments with the right climate. But large-scale cultivation poses challenges. The best tasting mate grows in the shade of the rainforest.
You can find yerba mate at stores like Kroger and in ethnic markets selling Brazilian or Paraguayan products. Online stores like Buddha Teas now sell yerba mate too.
It has 90% more antioxidants than green tea and may help blood lipids and weight loss. Its seeds only germinate after being digested by specific birds, making farming it challenging. This precious system contributes to its expense compared to other teas.